Thursday, December 3, 2009

They finally finished the road behind our house and Utah Dad insists that we get curtains for our kitchen window as soon as possible. He's especially concerned that our lovely neighbors might get a glimpse of me dancing in the kitchen. I love to dance but I am not very good at it. Seriously, grace and coordination are not two of my strengths. Unfortunately for Utah Dad, that doesn't stop me from dancing. He's mortified.

When Neal and Amberly were very small, I discovered a book and CD collection called Philadelphia Chickens by Sandra Boynton. Unlike most music for children, these songs had clever and humorous lyrics put to fabulous music performed by artists like Kevin Bacon, Laura Linney and Meryl Streep. It is music that makes you want to get up and dance--swing dance. I grab the kids and swing them around and we have a great time (I burn a few calories too). My new dance partners--Thomas and Lilly--also love it . The Philadelphia Chickens CD includes nearly twenty songs that make you want to boogie. My personal favorite is a love ballad to the hard-to-reach chocolate chip cookies.

A few years after we found Philadelphia Chickens, I was delighted to see Sandra Boynton'sDog Train at my local book store. Dog Train is an equally fabulous collection of songs dedicated to rock and roll. The songs are performed by actual bands that parents will recognize, like Hootie and the Blowfish and Five for Fighting. If it was possible to love a CD more than we loved Philadelphia Chickens, Dog Train was it. We rock out together to "Tantrum" and "Penguin Lament". We listen to it in the car. We sing along. We all, including Utah Dad, know all the words. Sandra Boynton understands children and the way they think. If you don't believe me, listen to her songs "Broccoli" and "I Need a Nap". You'll be convinced.

Workman Publishing, who publishes all of Sandra Boynton's books, sent me a copy of One Shoe Blues, which includes the storybook, song, and a DVD with the musical movie short this week. My children and I have already enjoyed it several times. They also sent me two more copies to give away to you. Christmas is coming. I know you or a special child would love one. It would make a great stocking stuffer.

To win a copy of One Shoe Blues by Sandra Boyntonleave a comment on this post. To earn additional chances to win do one or more of the following:

Be sure to come back and leave an additional comment on this post for each thing that you do.

The contest will be closed to entries at 11:59 pm on Thursday, December 10th. The winners (there will be two) will be announced on Friday, December 11th some time in the morning--after I get the kids off to school and feed Utah Dad and the others their breakfast and maybe get dressed (but probably not).

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I love spending my days as a mom to my five brilliant, beautiful and busy kids. Once they're in bed, I love rejuvenating by reading a really great book.

Book Reviews, give-aways, stories about my kids and fun things to do around Utah--just a little of what you'll find on Utah Mom's Life.

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will — to your surprise — miss them profoundly."